If your favorite summer activities include listening to music and reading on the beach, then there's no better place to read about these things than right here on Blogcritics. This week we have some outstanding reports from the live music front (in addition to our always eclectic mix of CD reviews), and reviews of some good books you might want to tuck into your beach tote. If your idea of summer fun extends to the political realm, then we've got that covered, too. As always, start right here for what caught our collective editorial eye this week.
Let me remind those of you who are chosen that you are invited to submit your own pick for next week (due to space considerations, please limit it to one). Please feel free to email me your picks (including the URL) by next Tuesday.
MUSIC
From Music Editor Connie Phillips:In CD Review: Bruce Hornsby - Intersections 1985-2005, Mat Brewster remembers a long-ago concert as well as dissects the music. With clever style, he delivers the information necessary to make the reader want to check out this box set.
I tried to play along with Eric Berlin, I really did. But I just couldn't narrow my personal list like he did in Five Favorite Bands of All Time: Take the Challenge. Check out his favorites and leave your top five.
A. L. Harper takes the reader along and explains all the ins and outs of how to enjoy a music festival in Festival Review: The Wickerman Music Festival, Scotland. Oh, and she fills us in on all the great music as well.
DJRadiohead takes us along on his long and winding journey, which instead of being "the review that wasn't" became Concert Review: Guster & Ray LaMontagne with Fruitbats, Birmingham, AL (Alabama Theater) July 23, 2006. The detailed background and show review is well worth the read.
From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:
Mat Brewster's mum goes off her head when she hears Lou Reed singing about giving head in Bootleg Country: Lou Reed - 12/16/72.
Joan Jett is all grown up now. And Connie Phillips walks us through that maturity when she reviews the CD, Sinner.
From Editor DJRadiohead:
Mark Saleski has written another excellent article about an obscure jazz artist I have never heard, but his review of Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet - Way Out East is a more than worthy read.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Since Film/TV is becoming the red-headed stepchild of the Editor's picks, I'll nominate Hombre Divertido's DVD Review: Superman: Brainiac Attacks because it sounds so much better than the movie was.
2 - Mat Brewster
Thanks for the picks Connie, AL and Gordon. And Gordon the Hootie reference was a bit made up, since my memory isn't quite so good as to remember what I put in the place of Lou, and Hootie is fittingly bland.
However, I must admit to a softspot for young Hootie during those days. My brother lived in Charleston at the time and was always rattling on about them before they hit big. "Hold my hand" will always be near and dear even if it is a stiking pile of soft cheese.
3 - Duke De Mondo
DJ and Gordon, thank you! and Gordon, any time, old chum!
4 - Jet in Columbus
From an insecure author who sometimes thinks he's not achieving anything, this means a lot to me.
All of the Forest Strangers are grateful too...
Gratefully
Jet
5 - Jet in Columbus
Mark, I and several Forest Strangers thank you for the recognition and encourangement...
Jet
6 - Jet in Columbus
Okay, now I know I'm senile, this is for July not August.time to update those shortcuts on the sci page Lisa!!!